a certain
idiom
1
—used to refer to a quality that is noticed but that is difficult to explain or describe
She has a certain elegance about her.
The house has a certain charm.
2
formal
—used with the name of a person one does not know
In 1889, a certain Mr. Kelly made a large donation to the church.
Examples of a certain in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Most states have some sort of safeguard against utility shutoffs when the temperature dips below a certain level, but not all.
—
Mary Cunningham, CBS News, 25 Nov. 2025
At its core, body trends suggest women need to look a certain way to feel accepted.
—Rachel Hale, USA Today, 25 Nov. 2025
Households whose earnings exceed a certain threshold — 400% of the federal poverty line — are most exposed, according to policy experts.
—Greg Iacurci, CNBC, 25 Nov. 2025
Just show up and be dressed a certain way.
—Brenton Blanchet, PEOPLE, 25 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for a certain
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Mary Cunningham, CBS News, 25 Nov. 2025
At its core, body trends suggest women need to look a certain way to feel accepted.
—Rachel Hale, USA Today, 25 Nov. 2025
Households whose earnings exceed a certain threshold — 400% of the federal poverty line — are most exposed, according to policy experts.
—Greg Iacurci, CNBC, 25 Nov. 2025
Just show up and be dressed a certain way.
—Brenton Blanchet, PEOPLE, 25 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for a certain
Cite this Entry
“A certain.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/a%20certain. Accessed 1 Dec. 2025.
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